If you have a degree and a passion for helping children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND teaching), then we have a fantastic opportunity for you to widen your skillset and become a fully qualified SEND teacher – a role that is increasingly in demand in primary and secondary mainstream schools.
PK Education is working with Wolverhampton University and Brays Teaching School to recruit for the September 2018 intake of the Schools Direct programme, which allows you to learn on the job as you work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
However, if you’re not sure whether the SEND route is for you, then PK Education is offering potential candidates the opportunity to gain experience in an SEND role ahead of making an application to the programme.
Kirsty O’Hara, manager of PK Education’s Birmingham office, who has been working closely with Wolverhampton University explained: “We’re delighted to be working with Wolverhampton University. It’s a great opportunity for people who either want to get into teaching or make the step to Qualified Teacher Status. It’s a big step to take which is why we’re happy to help interested candidates find temporary SEND roles in schools so that they can try before they buy!”
The training is led by specialists from Brays Teaching School and Specialist Alliance, which is a partnership between some outstanding special schools across Birmingham. The programme comprises 65 days of training at Wolverhampton University’s Walsall campus and 120 days spent doing practical, hands-on placement training at two Birmingham-based schools.
To gain SEND classroom experience before applying, interested candidates are being encourages to register with their local PK Education office in either Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham or Manchester, and we will work with you to find suitable roles in local schools that will give you an opportunity to experience working with SEND pupils.
This is exactly what PK candidate Daniel Evans did. He explains: “I didn’t want to jump in to an SEN school feet-first, so I thought supply teaching seemed like a practical option because it has a ‘try before I buy’ element, meaning I could be gaining experience in a school without the obligation.
“When I contacted PK Education they worked with me to decide what my goals and aspirations were. After the necessary paperwork and a few phone calls, they worked quickly to place me in a special education school so that I could see if I liked it; it turned out that special education rekindled my passion, I have re-engaged with teaching and I haven’t looked back since.”
To find out more about applying for a place on the Wolverhampton University and Bray’s Teaching School Schools Direct Teacher Training programme, contact Kirsty O’Hara on 0121 631 3466.
